The motor yacht Eclipse is the largest and most expensive private superyacht in the world. It is owned by the Russian businessman and owner of Chelsea Football Club Roman Abramovich. The yacht is estimated to have cost about €800m ($1.2bn). It was delivered to the owner in December 2010.

The 162.5m-long Eclipse is currently the largest yacht, having surpassed the 162m-long motor yacht Dubai. The Dubai is owned by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Prime Minister and Vice President of the UAE and the ruler of Dubai.

The Eclipse was built by Blohm + Voss Shipyards and is being managed by Blue Ocean Yacht Management.

The details related to its technical features and construction, however, have not been revealed to the public. It was constructed at the Blohm & Voss Shipyard in Hamburg and launched in June 2009.

Tests on the yacht were conducted at Frederikshavn, Denmark in September 2009. Sea trials began in Kristiansand, Norway in May 2010. The yacht was finally delivered to the owner in December 2010.

“The Eclipse is composed of a steel hull and aluminium superstructure.”

Eclipse motor yacht design

The Eclipse is composed of a steel hull and aluminium superstructure. It features a helipad, a submarine garage integrated into the hull and a drydock at the stern for tenders. It has an overall length of 162.5m, length between perpendiculars of 147m, breadth of 21.5m and draught of 5m.

The latest technology has been incorporated into the staterooms and cabins, along with luxurious interiors and fabrics. Safety features include bulletproof glass, motion sensors and an antiballistic missile defense system. The master suite and the bridge are equipped with armour plating.

The yacht has nine decks with the top level dedicated for helicopters and the garage. Level eight features a bar, swimming pool and sundeck. Level seven has a pool, atrium and an open deck.

Level six features the saloon, main dining hall and a 40ftx60ft full-beam loggia. The main entrance foyer is located on the fourth floor.

Facilities

The Eclipse features a 16m swimming pool, which can be covered to make a dance floor. The yacht accommodates three helicopters and a three-man private submarine, which can drive to a depth of 160ft.

The cabins are installed with 6ft home cinema screens. Other facilities include a jacuzzi, spa, two helipads, internal lifts, six tenders, an exterior fireplace and specialised security systems.

Accommodation

The Eclipse can accommodate 30 guests in 11 staterooms and suites and a crew and staff of 92 members. It has a total living space of 6,000ft².

The pilothouse is located on level seven. The fifth level houses a 5,000ft² master suite.

“The Eclipse was built by Blohm + Voss Shipyards.”

The central foyer of the yacht separates the cabins and suites of the owner, guests and the crew. An exhibition room and theatre occupy the third floor and the second deck acts as a docking port for the submarine. Level one houses the engine room, machinery and a small disco-club.

Propulsion

The Eclipse is powered by a diesel-electric propulsion system with four MTU 20V 1163 TB93 marine diesel engines. The generators of the propulsion system power the rotating Azipod drives. The propulsion gives the yacht a maximum speed of 25kt and cruise speed of 22kt.

Construction

Construction of the yacht commenced in 2006. It took five years of intensive design, development and construction for successful completion. It was built under the name Project Luxury Yacht M 147, with great secrecy.

Contractors

The yacht was designed by Hermidas Atabeyki of Atabeyki Design Development. The exterior styling and interior design were done by Terence Disdale Design and Greenline Yacht Interiors.